Victoria Police is urging people to be wary following reports of an ongoing arrest warrant phone scam.
Police say they’ve received reports of people receiving a phone call with either a person or voice recording claiming their tax file number had been used for fraudulent activity.
The call is then transferred to someone posing as a police officer who threatens to arrest the person if they do not pay a sum of money.
“The offenders have cloned legitimate police station phone numbers in the course of this offending to deceive victims,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“In two incidents on 18 December more than $30,000 was handed over by victims from Melbourne East and Fitzroy.
“Police would like to speak to anyone who has been the recent victim of this scam and is reminding people that if you ever get a call or email claiming you will be arrested due to a tax debt, simply hang up the phone or delete the email.”
Police say do not call the number provided in the phone message or email you receive.
“If you’re concerned the contact may be legitimate, you can also call the ATO on 1800 008 540 or your local police station to check its veracity.”
The Federal government also provides a website which offers proactive advice for people who have been the victim of a scam: http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
